R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MAR 11
In view of the rising cases of eye disorders due to Glaucoma, which leads to irreversible blindness, the leader in eye-care, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital on Saturday organized an awareness walkathon and human chain at the busy Elliot’s beach in Besant Nagar.
The awareness programme was organized to mark the World Glaucoma Week to be observed from March 12 to March 18, said Dr Srinivasan G Rao, Regional Head – Clinical Services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital.
The Walkathon and Human Chain were inaugurated by Mr Hitler, Assistant Commissioner of Police – Traffic, South Chennai in the Presence of Dr Srinivasan Rao and Dr Sugepriya K, Consultant Opthalmologist, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital.
Addressing reporters Dr Srinivasan G Rao, Regional Head – Clinical Services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital said, “ India can easily be the world’s capital of glaucoma, a group of eye disorders that leads to irreversible blindness. In India 12 million are affected and 1.2 million are blind due to glaucoma. Prevalence of primary angle closure disease in south India is 1.58%. Prevalence of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in rural south India population 1.62% and 98.5% were not aware of the disease, in urban population the prevalence was 3.51% higher and more than 90% were not aware of the disease.”
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He added that there are no known measures to prevent glaucoma. The only way to prevent blindness from glaucoma, which shows no symptoms in the early stage, is early diagnosis and treatment that could halt the progression of this silent thief of sight.
Persons who crossed the age of 40 should screen their eyes at least twice in a year and should consult ophthalmologist before changing their spectacles every time they sense change of vision power, he added.
Dr Sugepriya K, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital said “Glaucoma can strike one at any age. However, those who are over 40 years, and who have a family history of glaucoma, and diabetics, and people with high refractive errors and those who take steroid containing eye drops, pills, inhalers, and skin creams are considered at risk populations. They should screen for glaucoma, every year”.
Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital, through its chain of hospitals, is creating awareness among the public that clinical examination is the only way to catch glaucoma and early detection and treatment will prevent vision loss. And with prompt attention from the patients and with contribution from the primary care physicians and prompt referrals to the ophthalmologist, glaucoma can be controlled and kept in check.
Over 150 from various walks of life and age groups including staff members of Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital participated in the walkathon and human chain programme.
Participants carried placards with slogans to create awareness on Glaucoma disease and treatment.
